Asafo companies, youth withdraw from Aboakyer festival

Accra, April 29, GNA- The Asafo Companies and the Youth at Winneba, Thursday announced their withdrawal from this year's Aboakyer Festival celebration of the people of Winneba, citing chieftaincy dispute as the reason.

This was contained in a statement issued in Accra and signed by Nana Otubua Siripi II, Tufuhene of Efutu Traditional area, Obaatan Armah-Sekum, Tuafo Number one Asafo Company, Winneba and Obaatan Kwame Essoun, Dentsifo number two Asafo Company, also of Winneba.

It called on all sons and daughters of Winneba, home and abroad, who were committed to peace and the preservation of the historic and cultural heritage of Winneba, to dissociate themselves from it. The statement said: the Amanfo Asafo Companies had sought on several occasions through several means to de-link the chieftaincy dispute from the Aboakyer Festival, but to no avail.

"After meeting with the Inspector General of Police, Nana Owusu Nsiah in Accra on Monday, April 26, 2004, the youth and the Amanfo Asafo Companies led by the Tufuhene, Abaatan, Supis and Elders, have decided to withdraw from the festival this year in the interest of peace, law and order," it said.